Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has released two critical reports: the preliminary report of heat-related deaths in 2023 and the results of a cooling center evaluation to better inform heat relief efforts in 2024 and beyond.

A total of 645 heat-associated deaths have been confirmed by MCDPH for 2023, which breaks the previous year’s total—itself a new record—by over 50%. Though all residents and visitors of Maricopa County are affected by extreme heat, some populations are impacted more, such as people over age 50, those who live in mobile home parks and people who are experiencing homelessness.

“This tragic number shows us how much work we still have to do,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for MCDPH. “With a coordinated county-wide strategy, nearly every one of these deaths can be prevented.”

In addition to tracking all confirmed heat deaths in Maricopa County, MCDPH also conducted an evaluation of cooling and respite centers that were part of the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network last year. The goal was to understand what brought people to cooling centers, as well as barriers that kept people from using them. Some key findings included:

*About two-thirds of respondents indicated they did not have a stable residence.

*Most visitors to cooling centers had been to one previously and spent at least an hour during each visit for heat relief.

*Visitors wanted cooling centers to be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, which would provide consistent heat relief on weekends and during the hottest parts of the day.

*Word of mouth and street signs were suggested as the top two ways to inform people of where cooling centers are located.

*The biggest barriers to using cooling centers are:

*Not knowing they exist.

*Lack of transportation to cooling centers.

*Not knowing where cooling centers are located.

Based on this information, MCDPH is working to address these needs with cities and community partners. Among other actions, MCDPH is:

*Supporting a bilingual heat relief call center to answer calls and connect people to resources and transportation to and from cooling centers.

*Partnering with City of Phoenix to create signs for all Maricopa County heat relief locations to make them visible from the street.

*Working with cities and community organizations that have experience running cooling centers to expand hours and days of operation, ensuring water and snacks will be available.

*Ordering heat relief items like reusable water bottles, cooling towels, and hats to distribute at smaller community cooling centers, which may not be able to afford those supplies on their own.

“Deaths from heat are a major public health issue within our community, and it’s going to take support from every level to improve the situation,” said Sunenshine. “Individuals, small and large organizations, and municipalities all have a role to play in reducing heat deaths.”

Residents can help take care of people within their circles with some simple actions:

*During the heat season, check on people who live alone, are seniors, live on a fixed income, or otherwise may not have someone to identify potential heat issues quickly.

*Volunteer at a cooling center to help support expanded hours.

*Donate heat relief supplies to cooling centers. Email the Maricopa Association of Governments. at HSinfo@azmag.gov for where to send supplies such as:

*Water

*Reusable water bottles

*Hats

*Sunscreen and lip balm

*Cooling towels

For more details on heat illnesses and data, visit Maricopa.gov/heat.